Thursday, February 28, 2013

they can't break us

Mana MP Hone Harawira was at the marae to welcome Iti and believes he has come out of prison a stronger man.

"I think his mana has been enhanced by what he's gone through because
those are lessons you just can't get on the outside. He's learnt from
that, he's grown from that - he's a better man for it.

"And we as a people - Maori people in particular - are going to be
better off for having a leader like this go though those experiences and
come out as strongly."

Mr Harawira said Iti has successfully survived all that the state could throw at him.

I really like the attitude of Tame Iti

He held no resentment about being in jail nine months, saying he
enjoyed his time there and was able to work and be creative with his
art.

Iti said he was inspired by reading a book about former South African
leader Nelson Mandela and wants to write one on the history of
political prisoners in New Zealand.

His lawyer Russel Fairbrother said an application has been lodged with
the Supreme Court to overturn the conviction and sentence.

Tame Iti is a man of mana for fighting for his beliefs and not being bowed and broken by the state. Good news also that fellow political prisoner Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara has also been granted parole and will leave prison on Monday.